Alayna's First Week

Alayna and me  right after she arrived.

What a wonderful, crazy, and life changing week it has been!  It is hard to believe that last week at this time Alayna was just about to make her grand entrance!  I can't believe all that has happened in the last week! Peter and I are so grateful for our little girl and love her so much!  We were lucky as we seem to have gotten the cutest little girl around. ;)

Two days old

Alayna's arrival was quite the event last week with my contractions becoming pretty regular on Monday night around 9. Unfortunately, I had back labor, meaning Laney was turned the wrong way.  At first I didn't think I was actually having contractions as I just had excruciating pain in my back. Then by midnight, I was ready to call the doctor and ask if we should come in.  My contractions were about 5 minutes apart.  He said we could, but he also said I might be more comfortable at home.  (Realistically, I don't think I would have been comfortable at a 5 star resort in the Bahamas...)  I've read that you should try and sleep between the contractions, but they must have been talking about the future father not mother, because I told Peter to get some rest (he had no problem) and I spent the night downstairs trying to sleep in 4-5 minute intervals.  Whoever said sleeping is possible is absolutely insane!

By 6 am the next morning, I told Peter I wanted to call again.  My contractions were three minutes apart and definitely not fun.  I just kept telling myself that I must be imagining the pain and to toughen up.

Back at our house and 3 days old

When we got to the hospital, we went to triage and the nurses said I was probably a little dialated as I was clearly having contractions.  When the doctor checked me out, she was amazed to find that I was already 7 cm!  Hooray!  Only 3 left to go!  The nurse led us to the birthing suite and I just kept looking at that empty baby bed and couldn't believe that I would have a little, baby girl lying in that bed.  I was excited, but to be honest...completely terrified!

After many more hours, Laney finally decided to make her entrance at 3:30 in the afternoon on Tuesday.  The entire experience was unlike anything I've ever been through.  Words just can't describe it.

One Week Old  Birthday Walk to the Park

Currently, we're adjusting to this new life with our beautiful girl and praying that she'll figure out this whole sleeping at night thing.  Otherwise, we've decided to just switch our schedule and stay up all night...might just be easier...

 

We're ready...we think...

So we've officially made it to 39 weeks! Wow!  I've spent my time finishing up the nursery (almost there, just want to add a bright pop of purple somehow),  catching up on good books (currently reading Secret Daughter and so far so good), and organizing. Last week, I even made a dinner and froze it for post-baby; very rare for me.  Peter's been busy getting things situated at work and finishing up a toy box for our little gal.  I have to say, this may be the sturdiest toy box of all time! He's a thorough dad already!

As of this morning, I started to feel nauseous and definitely had some kind of painful cramps.  Then just about time for church, they stopped, so off we went.  I'm feeling pretty good that our little girl will be arriving soon, but we're in no rush.  I still feel pretty comfortable and we're trying to enjoy every last pre-baby moment.

This morning, I was reflecting on our wedding day and how much that day changed the course of our future.  Peter and I both really enjoyed every moment of our wedding and the preparations.  We know that some day soon, we'll have another life altering day.  The day won't be quite as pain-free and full of great food, family, and friends as the last one, but we are so looking forward to beginning our next journey with our little lady.  Sometimes I get nervous, but then I think about how God brought Peter and I together and I couldn't have imagined what a wonderful partnership we would form.  I know that He's got a little girl perfect for us almost ready to make her arrival and we can't wait to meet her! While practically everyone we talk to tells us how hard it will be (don't worry, we know!), we also know that between the two of us, God, our family and our friends we will do our best and what an adventure it will be.

Until then...we're living it up! Time for an emergency run to Baskin Robbins! Yum!

37 Weeks!

After spending several weeks taking it easy, I've made it to 37 weeks and am able to "resume my regular activity"! That's an interesting statement for a doctor to make to a woman who is 37 weeks preggo.  I've been trying to "resume normal activity", but it's not working yet.  Aside from the fact that I never should really be more than about 10 minutes from a bathroom, I find myself getting tired after walking 5 blocks to Starbucks...not quite normal activity.  Oh well, I'm just glad to be able to leave the couch and get ready for this little baby girl we have headed our way.

Photo taken by Heidi
Check out her blog http://www.heidihasahobby.com/

One of my first days out, I visited some of my teammates from school.  I am lucky to have a fabulous group of teachers to work with! They're gifted educators and also hilariously funny.  I decided to bring fruit to our get together and what is more appropriate than a juicy, tasty watermelon!  When I bought it, the woman at the register told me I'd have to pay for both of them. Hilarious! :)

First Ever Load of Pinks

While I have turned the entire load of white laundry pink before believe it or not, that is not the case here.  This is our very first load of "Pinks"!

I've never been a real "girly" girl and I remember rebelling against pink when I was about 11 years old.  Since then, pink and I have a good working relationship.  I've actually come to embrace it as the mom of a little girl.  That said, I wasn't really ready for our first load of pinks!

Favorite New Activity

As an ignorant, single, 20 year old, I once asked a new mom what she did all day.  I didn't mean to be rude (oops), I just wondered what it was that kept parents so busy.  Since getting pregnant, several people have informed us that we'll spend most of our time just staring at the baby.  I guess I've already started, because I stare at my belly constantly, hoping to call Peter over in time to see her kick.  It really is more exciting than it looks!

Little by little, I'm learning that our baby girl has a mind of her own.  I'll kindly prod her to kick, beg her to kick, try and persuade her...nothing happens.  Then when I'm least expecting it...adorable little kicks, elbow stabs, and body rolls! I guess this is just the first of many times that she'll be demonstrating her independence.  I should just get used to it now... :)

The doctor thought our little gal might be small...boy was she wrong!

Our beautiful, chubby girl :)

Sometimes people tell me they can't believe that I'm 35 weeks along...afterall, I'm so small!  What a sweet compliment! At least until our doctor mentioned that I have a small fundal measurement and should have one additional ultrasound to make sure our little gal is growing appropriately and isn't too small! Suddenly, being small wasn't a compliment anymore! (Note: The safest compliment to give a pregnant woman is to just tell her how great she looks. No additional details needed.)

We went in for the ultrasound this morning.  Oddly, I wasn't overly worried as our active little gal is constantly moving around so I thought she was healthy.  Turns out that mom's intuition was right.  Not only is our little girl not small, she's taking after her daddy who was born at over 9 lbs.  Our angel girl is already 6 lbs and in the 68% percentile.  One of the measurements put her at 37 weeks. Yikes!  I guess I won't be needing too many of those bitty newborn clothes. :)

Another morning of contractions means too much time online...

So you may not have known this about me, but I'm practically a doctor! It's true! All I need is this trusty computer and I can diagnose any disease, syndrome, or ailment.  It's really amazing!  If you question my certification...well then you're probably an intelligent, discerning person.

Once I was concerned about my baby brother. He had some symptoms and I was worried.  So I put on my doctor's hat, logged onto my laptop and discovered that my brother clearly had a very serious disease. Peter came home and I shared my diagnosis. He took all the symptoms (just like me) and using his also vast medical experience (and our laptop) concluded that my brother was dying of anthrax poisoning!! Oh no! ;)

This brief interlude as a doctor was a good reminder that I'm not one! Thank goodness!  This morning, I sat down with far too many questions about early delivery and many hours on the computer in front of me and started Googling...after about 10 minutes I found myself starting to embark on completely ridiculous medical diagnosis. Luckily, I got a hold of myself, closed the window, and returned to something much more appropriate...BabiesRUs.com.  Close one!! 

My doctor did recommend the following basic fact websites http://www.americanpregnancy.org/, http://www.safefetus.com/, and the hospital website. I have officially decided to hang up my lab-coat for this pregnancy and instead start trying to use our new SLR camera.